As the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 continues to cause controversy globally, recently the organizers have said sorry for allegedly outraging public sentiments on Sunday.
But while apologizing, the organizers also backed the concept asserting, that the act intended to celebrate ‘community tolerance.’
In its interaction with the Associated Press, the Paris Olympics 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps said ‘Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance.’
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In addition, the spokesperson also said ‘Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are, of course, really, really sorry.’
Creator Thomas Jolly Opens Up Abouts His Intentions
Meanwhile, creator Thomas Jolly also talks about the controversial Last Supper parody with associated Press and said ‘My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.’
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Brief Information On Controversial Tableau
For those unversed, during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the tableau of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper,’ which featured drag queen artists including a child, attracted a worldwide backlash from both political and religious leaders.
I’m truly speechless. So disrespectful towards many athletes from other nations at the #OlympicGames. pic.twitter.com/5eGdaGKcuF
— Velina Tchakarova (@vtchakarova) July 26, 2024
Many conservatives leaders of USA also condemned the tableau. The Anglican Communion of Egypt also condemned the tableau saying it expresses ‘deep regret’ over this act and asserted that this ceremony can cause IOC to ‘lose its distinctive sporting identity and its humanitarian message.’